For the first time since the Baltimore Ravens’ 27-25 loss to the Buffalo Bills in the divisional round of the playoffs, Ravens tight end Mark Andrews spoke publicly about his role in the loss.
Andrews, while hauling in five catches for 61 yards in the game, also made two critical errors in the fourth quarter: a fumble that stopped a drive with Baltimore leading 24-19, and a fall in the end zone on what would have been a match. -tying a two-point conversion with less than two minutes to play.
Andrews did not speak to the media after the match, but released a statement on Instagram on Thursday.
“It is impossible to adequately express what I feel. I am absolutely gutted by what happened on Sunday,” Andrews wrote in an Instagram caption. “I am devastated for my teammates, coaches and Ravens fans.”
He continues: “I dedicate every ounce of my being to playing at the highest level possible, because I love my team and football like nothing else. That’s why it’s taken me until now to gather my thoughts and address this topic publicly.
“Even though the shock and disappointment is unlike anything I’ve felt before, I refuse to let the situation define me.”
Andrews went on to say that the situation will make him stronger, and he also expressed gratitude to fans who raised money for his foundation following the loss.
More sports on NBC News
To support Andrews and the negativity he faced after the game, a Bills fan page started a GoFundMe on Monday to raise money to go to Andrews’ charity, which works to help people with diabetes type 1. As of Wednesday evening, GoFundMe had raised more than $80,000.
“Despite the negativity, I have seen genuine love and encouragement, including from those who generously donated to the Breakthrough T1D organization,” Andrews wrote.
Andrews, 29, was selected in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft by Baltimore. He spent his entire seven-year career with the Ravens.
